Statement by Corrections Secretary Roderick Q. Hickman on the Appointment of Robert Sillen as Receiver of the California Prison Medical System

February 14, 2006

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Secretary Roderick Q. Hickman today made the following statement regarding Judge Thelton Henderson’s appointment of Robert Sillen as receiver for the California prison medical system:

“I look forward to working with Mr. Sillen, and I know all of our staff, including Dr. Peter Farber-Szekrenyi, are committed to working with the court to resolve this issue to ensure we meet the constitutional standards set by the court. This administration has already begun the long and complicated process of reforming the prison health care system and this appointment will help give further guidance to the process.

“This Department has repeatedly said it will work with the court to solve this complex case and our commitment has never wavered. We have a dedicated staff of professionals in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation who I know will work diligently with Mr. Sillen and Dr. Farber-Szekrenyi to build a system of health care that will provide the quality of care the people of this state expect us to provide.”